Japan grants Cambodia $3 million in defense aid

Japan will provide Cambodia with defense equipment worth approximately $3.08 million, including army communications gear and naval patrol boats, under its Official Security Assistance (OSA) program. This marks the first time Cambodia will receive support through the OSA, which offers defense equipment free of charge to like-minded nations.

A signing ceremony for the agreement took place on July 19, attended by Japan's Ambassador to Cambodia, Ueno Atsushi, and Cambodia's Defence Minister, Tea Seiha. The assistance is intended to enhance Cambodia's security and deterrence capabilities, contributing to peace and stability in the region.

Cambodia plans to establish a military communications school, with cooperation from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force also being considered. Japan has previously utilized the OSA program to provide equipment to other Southeast Asian nations, including coastal surveillance radar systems to the Philippines and disaster response equipment to Thailand.